Bhubaneswar: Police have identified the headless body found near Baramunda Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar early Sunday as Hadu Mallick, a fish trader from Baghamari in Khordha district. Mallick was killed after being struck by a vehicle and subsequently dragged for nearly 2 km on National Highway 16 by a heavy truck under low-visibility conditions caused by heavy downpours.
According to police sources, the incident occurred during the morning hours when Mallick and his associate were standing near Tamando at around 4 am. They halted near the Patrapada foot overbridge due to torrential rain while traveling on a moped toward Bhubaneswar to purchase fish.
A speeding vehicle struck the duo and they were thrown off the two-wheeler. Mallick, rendered unconscious on the asphalt, was hit moments later by a truck. Trapped under the heavy vehicle, his body was dragged for nearly 1.5 to 2 km from Patrapada foot overbridge all the way to Baramunda overbridge before it was dislodged and left on the highway near the Tata Motors outlet.
Passersby and local police spotted the severely disfigured body and alerted police, who seized the remains and sent them to Capital Hospital for postmortem.
Meanwhile, the associate, who suffered severe injuries including a leg fracture, managed to crawl to safety before being rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The Commissionerate Police have formed a special team to track down the killer vehicle and identify the driver. CCTV footage along Tamando-Baramunda stretch on National Highway 16 are being examined. Local authorities and nearby police stations, including Pahala and Cuttack, have been put on high alert to intercept the vehicle. Police have also recorded the statement of Mallick’s injured associate as part of the ongoing probe.
Police have urged motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving on highways during heavy rains.